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Tuesday, October 25, 2005

(Former) Sergeant Pyle reporting as ordered!

Yes, I know, Sergeant Pyle. Very funny. What is worse, my middle initial is G. It was much worse when I was Private Pyle, David G.

For those of you who dont get why this is funny, Bless your young souls!

Thank you very much, Greg, for your welcome! Finally, we have worked out the technical difficulties!

Well, let us see... I am a U.S. Army Veteran, a former Paratrooper, who spent time in Latin America with the 7th Special Forces Group, and time in Bosnia with the U.S. National Intelligence Cell. In fact, it was my time in Bosnia that started me on the path to becoming a Unitarian Universalist.

Having seen the results of Religious Warfare, I determined to find an religion dedicated to ending religious hatred. That was how I became a UU, but my beliefs have grown so much since then.

After the Army, I completed a Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science, and worked for several years in the Special Events industry. Over time, I became deeply involved in the UU Fellowship of Galveston County (www.uugalveston.org).

Eventually, a friend asked me if I was considering Seminary sometime... and things clicked. I had realized that I was so deeply involved, because I was feeling a call to ministry. But what kind of minister? I could be a parish minister, but that didnt seem quite right. Maybe a religious educator...Then, that same friend asked me where I might best serve, and once again it clicked.

Not many who are called to UU ministry have my military background, love of soldiers, and deep belief in liberal religious theology. It is my goal to become a UU Military Chaplain in the U.S. Army.

Now, I am many years away (being a first year student at Meadville Lombard Theological School) and there are many obstacles in my path. I will become a minister in our faith whether that call takes me to the military or not. But such is my goal, and it is something I think this former Sergeant could make his life's work.

So, I hope to contribute here, for now, as a former Sergeant who is learning how to be a Chaplain. I also hope that I will be able to bring more UU's to understand the value of the military as a force for peace, and to help alleviate some of the prejudice that UU military members often feel in their chosen religious faith.

Yours in Faith,David PyleGalveston Island, Texas

"I am a militant pacifist... I will fight for peace!" -- Albert Einstein

2 comments:

As the proud son of a veteran I whole heartedly agree that honoring those in military service is something that often seems to be lacking amongst UU congregations. Glad to hear you are making the commitment to UU ministry. I wish you well in your studies.

Thank you for your sentiment, and thank you for your wonderful site (webuus) I had never seen it before, nor had I heard of the John Haynes Holmes Memorial Fellowship. Perhaps I will send them an application. Thank You!